Video: How a Break-Action Shotgun Fires

On screen: BREAK-ACTION SHOTGUN

Here is a break-action or hinge-action shotgun. Sliding the safety here off unblocks the sear and trigger. Pulling the trigger fires the gun. To unload the gun, the shooter would move the locking lever here, then break the action, which ejects the empty shotshell. At this stage, it can be reloaded. Closing the action resets the ejection mechanism. Turning back the locking lever locks the barrel. Finally, putting on the safety makes the gun safe by blocking the sear and trigger.